The worrying consequences and the necessary remedies – Corriere.it

The disconcerting aspect of the rejection that Giorgia Meloni’s government received in Parliament yesterday does not only concern the merits of the vote. What is surprising are the reasons with which the majority attempted to explain and minimize the unexpected “no” to the resolution on the budget variance; unexpected, if nothing else, for the numbers on which the right-wing coalition can count on paper. Arguing, as has been done, that “there is no political problem: it’s just that the deputies either don’t know or don’t realize”, should reassure. In reality, the lack of knowledge of parliamentary mechanisms is a political fact. And it represents an aggravating circumstance, not an extenuating circumstance. Finding yourself with a “no” for only six votes marks a searing own goal. Also because the oppositions did not defeat the executive: the absolute majority of votes was not reached. Twenty-five deputies between Lega, FI and FdI were missing; therefore, everything happened in their enclosure.

This was enough to breathe new life into a divided and marginalized left and M5S, which they even ask Prime Minister Meloni to take note of the end of the coalition. Italian eco has a bit crumpled. Yet, however understandable, the opponents’ analysis sounds exaggerated and instrumental. The coalition stands. And you asked to revote the provision, which will probably be approved today. If anything, yesterday’s episode is destined to leave its mark on parties that emerged from the September 25 elections with blind numbers: in the sense of forcing them to take nothing for granted.

Otherwise, two worrying consequences would arise. The first is that jokes such as yesterday’s arrest raises questions about the quality of the right-wing parliamentary and governing class. The second is that they fuel distrust and reservations about Italy’s ability to make the best use of the European funds of the recovery plan. So far, the executive has also received recognition from Brussels for the prudence shown in the management of public expenditure. Yesterday morning, cautious applause also came from former premier Mario Monti, who gives voice to influential European circles.

The right’s self-inflicted defeat a few hours later made the background more precarious. Assume that it is the result of a plan preordained is a gamble and a stretch: even if it would at least give a rational explanation to a random incident. Rather, it seems to have been caused by an excess of security, combined with the coincidence between the votes in the hall and the “long weekend” of 25 April. Paradoxical as it may be, the Meloni government is losing blows not due to the action of its opponents but due to the defection of its elected officials.

This is a bad precedent, in view of other votes that will touch passages decisive in approving the recovery plan. Above all, we are on the eve of a negotiation with the EU institutions which is already starting slightly uphill. We need to thoroughly analyze and evaluate the implications of the reform of the Stability Pact. In this context, the rejection of the resolution, although recovered in the running, is a stumbling block that should not be underestimated. He predicts that a call to responsibility for all right-wing parties will start from Palazzo Chigi and from the leaders of Lega and Forza Italia.

Giorgia Meloni’s admission that it was “a bad slip” confirms the willingness to face the issue for what it is; and archive it quickly. Guaranteeing presence in the courtroom when weight measures are being discussed is the least that can be asked for. But it becomes easier if there is an awareness of what is at stake, and one has the expertise to assess the scope and pitfalls of the measures to be taken. As for inexperience as a justification for the mess, perhaps it would be better to leave it to others. It is the stuff of populists and amateurs of power, not of rulers who cultivate the ambition to do well and last.